Strength training, also known as resistance training, is a great way to challenge your muscles, making you feel healthier and fitter.

Completing a strength training workout just two to three times a week can effectively improve the tone and strength of your muscles, while giving you a number of different benefits that will improve your health in the long-term.

Firstly, the physical changes will be visible, as your body composition changes for the better. All the flabby parts of your body tighten up through strength training, making your look and feel healthier. But those are not the only changes you’ll see – the health benefits go more than skin deep. Read on for the benefits of strength training and the reasons why you should try it.

1. Build muscles while increasing your metabolism

The first benefit of strength training is that you will build your muscles. But did you know it also improves your metabolism? When you work out, your body continues to work after you finish lifting weights, bringing itself back to its original state. During this period, your body uses a lot of energy, and studies have proven that a strength training workout can boost your metabolism for up to 48 hours.

This means you will be burning fat for hours after you complete your strength training exercises! Faster metabolism means your body processes food faster and more effectively, meaning you burn fat quicker.

2. Strength training helps you lose fat

The second benefit of strength training is fat loss. You might think you lose more weight through a cardio workout than a strength training session, but although you do burn calories through cardio workouts, you burn fat for longer after a strength training session. This is because strength training elevates your metabolism for longer after your workout than a cardio session does, helping you to lose fat.

3. Build your bones with strength training

The third benefit of strength training is higher bone density. Further scientific studies have shown that strength training can also increase your bone density. The exercises you do through your strength training regime can often improve the strength of your bones better than any medication or supplements can.

And of course, when you are building up your bone density, you are also improving the muscle mass and tissue strength which further reduces your risk of injury from falls or other exercises.

4. Strength training improves your sleep and reduces your pain

The fourth benefit of strength training is reduced pain, When we exercise, we are fatiguing our bodies, meaning we sleep better at night. This works wonders not only for our physical health, but also mentally.

If you have a bad back, or some other kind of body ailment, you may be surprised to find that the more you work at strength training, the less you will feel this body pain. By making our bodies stronger, we often reduce the pain caused by weak muscles not being able to support our bodies in daily activities.

5. Strength training is great for overall health

The fifth benefit of strength training is improvement in overall health. If we haven’t yet convinced you of the benefits of strength training then it might be worth knowing that this type of exercise can prevent particular cancers and diabetes, decrease your blood pressure and increase your heart function.

So what are you waiting for? Get started on your strength training regime with Advantage Personal Training team today!